Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu, alternative trek tour

Huchuy Qosqo trek To Machu Picchu

3 Days / 2 Nights
Accommodation Icon
Camping Accommodation
Group Size Icon
Up to 8 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
4,100 m / 13,451 ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty

The Beautiful Andean Hike to Machu Picchu

Qoricocha Lake - Pukamarca - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Machu Picchu
Accommodation Icon
Camping Accommodation
Group Size Icon
Up to 8 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
4,100 m / 13,451 ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate to Challenging Difficulty

Is your idea of the perfect vacation a trek to Machu Picchu but away from the crowds? If the answer is yes, look no further than the 3-day Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu trek. Enjoy this incredibly picturesque hike through stunning landscapes as you observe beautiful towns, find llamas and alpacas, and witness soaring mountain peaks and a surprising variety of local flora and fauna.

You’ll also make new friends in local communities where you can immerse yourself in their world and learn all about their customs and traditions as you walk in the footsteps of their ancestors on parts of the mythical Inca Trail. This is the perfect trip for those short on time who want a real, rural Andean experience. Join us on the trail for the adventure of a lifetime today!

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • Packing List
  • Faqs
  • Pricing
  • Enquire Now
  Overview

Join us on this incredibly adventurous hike between outstanding views through the hills to the lesser-known Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo. This park is situated on a plateau with stunning views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urubamba mountain range's snow-capped peaks. The trail goes off the beaten path over high Andean passes.

Highlights: Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu
Hiking distance: 19km/ 11.8miles
Considerations: Permit Required
Season: May to November

Itinerary at a Glance

  • Day01

    Cusco - Qory Qocha Lake - Quencco

    Embark on the best remote hike in the highlands of Peru, away from the crowded area where not many people go.

  • Day02

    Quencco - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

    Join the hike to the Huchuy Qosqo Inca complex and be amazed by its location and impressive view. Then embark on the best train journey to Aguas Calientes.

  • Day03

    Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

    Explore the most enigmatic lost city of the Incas early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Return to Cusco by train and bus.

  Itinerary
Day 01

Cusco - Qory Qocha Lake – Quencco

Hiking Distance: 12km/ 7.4miles
Minimum Altitude: 3500m / 11482ft
Maximum Altitude: 4100m / 13450ft
Accommodations: Camping
Highlight of the Day: Qoriccocha Lake and the highland
Adventure: Absolutely

To begin our adventure to Huchuy Qosqo, we pick you up from your hotel located in Cusco at 6:00 a.m. and take you to the beginning of the trail near to Tambomachay, located only half an hour from Cusco city. Here is where we will meet our team of horses and our porters. We begin hiking gently uphill for an hour and a half until we get to the first pass over 4,100m (13,450 ft), where the views turns stunning of different valleys, one looking at the capital of the Incas, Cusco Valley, and the other showing you a beautiful landscape of mountains and farmlands. From the pass, we will follow the trail, which is going along the side of the valley up and down towards the top. Then we keep hiking on a switchback trail until the next pass, then we will descend to our lunch spot at the border of the Qoriccocha Lake. The scenery here is quite barren because the whole area is a high Puna between the mountains, which are covered with straw or Andean grass. Around the area it will be possible to see a variety of bird life, such as Andean geese, lapwings, partridges, and others.

Meals Icon
Breakfast and Lunch Meals
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
16km/ 9.9miles Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
8.9 hours Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
3,700 m / 12,139 ft Starting Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
4,100 m / 13,451 ft Highest Elevation
Day 02

Quencco - Huchuy Qosqo - Lamay - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes

Hiking Distance: 6km/ 3.7miles
Minimum Altitude: 2,040m / 6,792 ft (Aguas Calientes town)
Maximum Altitude: 3,620m / 11,876 ft
Accommodations: Hotel
Highlight of the Day: Huchuy Qosqo Inca complex
Adventure: Absolutely

This day our team will wake you up with a cup of hot coca tea while you enjoy the incredible Andean views surrounded by mountains and valleys. Once you have packed, we will enjoy our delicious breakfast. Then we begin our hike descending towards the archaeological side of Huchuy Qosqo; during our hike, we will pass by many viewpoints with stunning scenery and walk on part of the original Inca trail, which is still intact. Here is the beginning of the valley and a different microclimate full of lush vegetation. Here you see some birds, such as hummingbirds, falcons, and eagles. As we make our way down to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will be able to see some llamas and donkeys, where you will take your time to capture great photos with a background of the snow-capped mountains.

Once we arrive at the Inca complex of Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco), located at 3600m (11811 ft), You will enjoy the incredible Inca buildings from the gateway to their storehouses, farming terraces, and sacred temples. Your tour guide will take you on a tour of each important site and explain the history of this Inca site. Then you will have your own time to take photos and enjoy the view of the Sacred Valley. Once you are done with it, we will have lunch or a picnic lunch in front of the Urumbamba Range mountains. From here we will begin our hike downhill to Lamay town (2800 m/9186 ft). It will take about 2 hours to descend towards the Urubamba River via switchbacks on the trail, where our bus will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo (an hour drive). Here we will have our dinner at the restaurant, then we will take our train to Aguas Calientes town, there you can set up and rest at your hotel.

Meals Icon
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Meals
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty
Walking Distance Icon
6km/3.7miles Walking Distance
Walking Time Icon
5 - 6 hours Walking Time
Starting Elevation Icon
3,620m / 11,876 ft Starting Elevation
Highest Elevation Icon
2,040 m / 6,692 ft Aguas Calientes Elevation
Day 03

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Cusco

Hiking Distance: 1km/ 0.6miles
Minimum Altitude: 2,040m / 6,792ft (Aguas Calientes town)
Maximum Altitude: 2,430 / 7,972ft
Accommodations:
Highlight of the Day: Machu Picchu
Adventure: Absolutely

This day is the most important day of our trip, because we will see the modern 7 wonders around the world Machu Picchu. We will wake up early, take our lunch box, and walk for a few minutes to the bus station to take one of the first buses leaving for Machu Picchu. The first bus leaves at 5:30am. Normally, it takes 25 minutes of driving, and Machu Picchu's main gate will be open at 6:00 a.m. Your guide will take you head-on to the great spot to watch the sunrise over the mountains, then we will explore each of the important sites of Machu Picchu together with your tour guide while he will be explaining you the history of these. After your tour, you will have some time to explore on your own and capture the best photos. Also, if you have the ticket to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains (these need to be booked in advance at an extra cost), our guide will show you all the way to the summit.

Once you have explored all of Machu Picchu, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes on your own and enjoy your lunch in the town (with varied options) before taking your train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus drive to Cusco, arriving between 6 and 8 p.m.

Meals Icon
Breakfast Meals
Difficulty Icon
Easy Difficulty
machupicchuticket Icon
Machu Picchu Ticket Entrance Fees
guidetour"
2-3 hours Guided Time
Starting Elevation Icon
2,430 m / 7,972 ft Machu Picchu Elevation
Train trip Icon
Train Ticket Train Trip
  Inclusions

At Vidal Expeditions, we are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded from our Huchuy Qosqo Trek. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your trek.

WE INCLUDE

Vidal Expeditions Team Provide

  • Pre-departure briefing

    Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your trekking guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Huchuy Qosqo hike. During this briefing, you will receive important details about the trek. After this time, you will receive your duffle bag for your extra luggage, which will stay with our porter while you are hiking.

  • Professional Trekking Guide

    All our tour guides have a great reputation for customer service and have been leading groups to Machu Picchu. Our tour guides have graduated with a tourism career from the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English at a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for trekking, and pride in having been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore the magical Machu Picchu.

  • Permits to Huchuy Qosqo and Machu Picchu

    Once we receive your details and the deposit for the tour, we will purchase all the necessary tickets for your trek. These permits will be for a specific date and will be in your name. Unfortunately, this information can’t be modified under any circumstance once confirmed. Only your passport number can be updated; however, for this change, you must bring both your old and new passport.

  • Porters Team or horses

    At Vidal Expeditions, we include a personal porter or horses who will be carrying your personal belongings in a duffle bag that we provide during this tour. This duffle bag cannot exceed 7 kg (14 lb). This weight includes the sleeping bag and mattress. You will be responsible for packing your duffle bag with your personal items (including your sleeping bag and mattress) that you will not be using during the day before breakfast. Items that are packed will not be accessible until we reach the final camp for the evening.

Transportations

  • Private Transport

    We include all the transportation during your trek. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the trailhead. At the end of the trek, the bus returning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will drop you off at your hotel.

  • Train Ticket

    We include the round-trip train ticket to explore Machu Picchu and the returned train ticket after you have explored Machu Picchu on the last day. The train ticket will be for one of the available trains scheduled for 14:20 hrs., 14:55 hrs., or 16:20 hrs.

  • Bus Ticket

    The round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes once you are done exploring Machu Picchu is also included.

Equipment

  • Camping equipment

    Vidal Expeditions leads tours to Machu Picchu with suitable camping equipment to make sure your trek is an experience of a lifetime. Our tents are Eureka or Doite pro Aconcagua for 4 people, which will be shared only with 2 people to ensure your comfort and enough space for your luggage. There will also be a spacious dining tent for you to enjoy each meal on this tour.

  • Personal Duffle bag

    We included a personal duffle bag for your Huchuy Qosqo 3-day tour. You will get this duffle bag at Vidal Expeditions office during your pre-departure briefing the night before your trek. This bag will be carried by our porters or horses during the trek. You will find it in your tent every afternoon when you arrive at the campsite. It can be filled with your personal items, sleeping bag, and mattress, but the maximum allowable weight is 7 kg (17 lb). The duffle bag must be returned to our office no later than one day after your trek.

  • Medical First Aid Kit

    All tour guides at Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in first aid. They received training courses every six months on how to assist someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained on how to supply balloon oxygen if someone requires it.

Meals

  • Meals

    At Vidal Expeditions, we know food is such an important part of any vacation, and getting the right fuel on an active holiday is crucial. For your trek, we include 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners. We cater to all dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and others—just let us know your dietary restrictions at the time of your booking. Our team is well-trained to prepare the best food you've ever had with local and organic ingredients.

  • Water

    Vidal Expeditions will provide you with water from the first lunch to the last breakfast. This water will be filtered, boiled, and cooled by our chef. You must bring your own water container, bottle, or camelback that can hold water for hiking for a few hours. We recommend a capacity of 2 liters.

  • Snacks

    Our team will provide a snack every morning before leaving each campsite, so you can enjoy it during your hike throughout the day. There will be many breaks when you can enjoy the delicious local fruits, biscuits, and caramels.

WE NOT INCLUDED

  • Sleeping bag

    Every trekker along the Huchuy Qosqo needs a proper sleeping bag, which has to be for -15°C or 5°F. We recommend you bring your own, but if you don’t want to bring your own or don’t have one, you can rent a sleeping bag from us.

  • Walking Sticks/Trekking Poles

    Hiking with trekking poles has its benefits—protect your knees while you are hiking downhill. Especially on ancient trails, where there are many stairs up and down, trekking poles help you during the ascent and increase stability. If you don’t have a pair of trekking poles, you can rent them from our office.

  • Breakfast on the First day

    We do not provide breakfast on the day of your departure. However, most hotels offer breakfast during your stay. In case your hotel does not provide breakfast, we will stop at a restaurant at the beginning of our trail where you will be able to purchase a breakfast.

  • Lunch in Aguas Calientes

    Lunch on the last day at Aguas Calientes is not included in the trek. However, you and the group can enjoy the last lunch together at a restaurant recommended by your tour guide.

  • Travel Insurance

    We recommend buying travel insurance before leaving your country in case something happens during your visit to Peru.

  • Tips for our team

    Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion to Ausangate, and although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.

  • Huayna Picchu

    Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a really famous hike that normally takes 45 minutes to hike up the narrow, steep steps to the top with a great view of Machu Picchu citadel. If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu after your tour to Machu Picchu, there is an extra cost of USD 75.00. Also, this booking must be done at least 3 months in advance due to its popularity.

  Recommendations
INFO

At Vidal Expeditions, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details you need to know before leaving your country and starting your life experience in Peru.

What you need to pack? Important
  • Passport
  • Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
  • Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
  • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Porters or horses will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you bring or rent one). Ours these two items weigh 3.5 kg..

  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts
  • 2-3 hiking pants
  • 4 sets of undergarments.
  • 1 Fleece
  • 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
  • 1 Rain jacket and pants
  • 1 sun hat
  • 1 wool hat
  • Headlamp: essential.
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops .
  • Walking boots.
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking! Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty. Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

TOILETRIES:
  • Sunscreen
  • Face moisturizer
  • Bug spray
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal medication
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25 liters will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside the citadel gates. But don´t worry; they have a secure storage facility. Water: We supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning's water only, as we won't have time to filter water until your first lunch.

  • Sunhat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Camera
  • Music (iPhone)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
  • Earplugs
  Faqs

PREPARING FOR YOUR HUCHUY QOSQO TREK

At Vidal Expeditions, we try to make the booking system as easy as possible for you. Once you decide to do this trek, we will send you a booking form where you need to complete all the required details that are important to book your tickets. We need a previous deposit of 50% per person. As soon as you pay it, we immediately book a spot for this tour. Once we are done with it, we will send you your invoice and a confirmation form that all the booking processes have been satisfactorily set up.

Huchuy Qosqo Trek is the ultimate hiking tour in Cusco, with Machu Picchu as the final destination. It takes two days to crowd the mountain from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas through the off-beaten path, where you will discover some of the most authentic Andean life.

Huchuy Qosqo is located in the Sacred Valley at 3,650 meters (11,976 feet) about sea level.

This is a bit of a challenging trek in Cusco. Due to the distance hike, especially on day one, you should prepare well before heading there. Take at least two days in Cusco to acclimate to the altitude. Being fit will also help you. Keep in mind that you will reach around 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) at the highest point along the hike.

Yes, this trek includes a visit to Machu Picchu on its last day.

Of course! But this will depend on where you start the hike. The route mentioned above is a two-day trek, since we start near Tambomachay and it is 21km from the trailhead to Huchuy Qosqo. From there, you still need to walk about 8 km to Lamay town.

Well, this is frequently a problem when you climb a new altitude. All our guides and trekking team are well prepared for any emergency situations; they always have a first aid kit and an oxygen tank in case someone needs them. There will also be an extra emergency horse to take you to the best place where you can recover. Our team always has a radio to communicate with each other.

Definitely, it is always recommended to wear light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing down so many steps created by the Incas and crossing some rivers, especially on day 2, some of them are slippery, now uneven, and at varying heights. The extra support helps prevent twisting your ankles.

Yes. Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, especially if is raining along the trek. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your kif ites while doing some portion of the trek. Plus, they will help you get up the mountain as well.

Along the Huchuy Qosqo trek, you will spend a night in tents set up in the middle of the mountains; another night will be in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes before heading to Machu Picchu.

No, because this is a remote area. However, the Vidal Expeditions team will bring a portable toilet that can be set up at different lunch spots and campsites.

The weather in Cusco and parts of the Andes is unpredictable, even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny. We can’t trust it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically, April through September is the dry season; November through February is the rainy season; and March and October are bridge months—a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings.

  Pricing

From: USD 620.00 per person

USD 00.00: from 4 people to more

Additional Items
* Additional single room in Aguas Calientes $60USD
*Upgrade the returning train to Vistadome service( with larger windows and more confortable seats $60US per person *Sleeping bag -15°C / 5°F for the entire trip $20USD

  Enquire Now

Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Vidal Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.

Our Pledge |  Your privacy is respected and protected. Vidal Expeditions will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.

Personal Details

Trip Details

Huchuy Qosqo Trek 3 Days / 2 Nights
14 years and above
Below 14 years
7 + 3 =

Feel free to reach us via email at vidalexpeditions@gmail.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694

Monday - Friday: 09:00 to 18:00 Hrs.
Saturday: 09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.

Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco

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3 Days / 2 Nights
Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu

Price from $ 620 USD Per Person

Group Size Up to 8 People

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Huchuy Qosqo trek 3 Days / 2 Nights Map



WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?


At Vidal Expeditions we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.

  • Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion

  • Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a 3 stars hotel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.

  • Bus to Machu Picchu: To enjoy Machu Picchu, we provide a round trip ticket on the bus from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of the archaeological site.

  • Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.

  • Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.

  • Best Trekking team: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.

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